Peter Pan Syndrome

Here it is just a week before Christmas and I’m in the Christmas Spirit and have been for awhile. I know how old I am, as my body reminds me on a daily basis as to that fact. But my mind won’t believe it. As a matter of fact, it rejects the concept of aging outright. I think it’s a good trait, as I have no use being around curmudgeons or sour people they bore me completely.

I was at the American Legion Hall in Olongapo the other day, at 8:30 in the morning to meet with a guy that I needed to conduct business with. The hall had been open for 30 minutes and the beer was flowing and the griping was at full steam. Who needs that before breakfast? I told my friend that we should head over to Mac Do’s and get a coffee and some food and talk. But as Mickey D’s doesn’t sell beer at any time that plan was quashed.

I’m well known to have and enjoy a refreshing adult beverage most days, but even that was way too early for me. One of the guy’s that has know me for years, asked why I never hang around there with them. That was a good question that I didn’t even have a good answer for, or at least one I could say out loud. My answer would have been something like; “I’m way too young to hang around here!” or “I refuse to sit around here waiting to die, I have too much to do today.” So I remained silent and left them to their exciting life.

On Facebook I posted a picture (see below) that said; “If you haven’t grown up by age 50, you don’t have to. And I received some funny comments agreeing with me. But I’ve called it the “Peter Pan Syndrome” For when I was a young boy in the 1950’s and saw Peter Pan on TV I was quite taken with it. Except it stared Mary Martin, a girl playing as a boy. I will admit that confused my tender young brain for a few years, but I figured it out.

Age is how you think and feel, and not how long you’ve lived. I’ve known people thirty years younger who thought older than I did. They were old before their time, and had never really learned to enjoy life. I for one have never been accused of that!

Once I realized that I was never gonna’ get out of this life alive, I stopped taking it so seriously. That gave me more time to enjoy the life I am living, and see the humor that surrounds us if we take the time to see it.

So as the Christmas Season draws near, please remember it’s all for the kids, and us kids at heart, so embrace it, and then watch the eyes of your children, as they will show us the way to a satisfying life. By the way; never worry about the size of your Christmas tree. In the eyes of the children, they are all 30 feet tall. Try to keep that good feeling that comes with the season with you for the rest of the year. And someday you’ll be as young as me.

As we sit under that mango tree, on a beautiful sunny day with friends and family close by, whether you are sipping an Ice tea or a cold SMB, know that your life has turned out the way you’ve planned, or at best it soon will.

May I wish each and every member of the LiP Family the best Christmas ever, and a brand new year that will exceed all those in the past.

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Make a donation to this year’s LiP Christmas Drive!

Side note from MindanaoBob – Would you like to help out with this year’s LiP Christmas Giveaway? Every year we go somewhere in Mindanao and distribute food and gifts to poor people who need it. For the past 4 years or so, the readers of this site have helped by making donations to the Giveaway, which are used to buy food and gifts for distribution. 100% of the money donated is used to purchase these items to give to the poor, there are no administrative costs or anything like that. If you can spare a few dollars, it would be greatly appreciated by me and certainly by those who will receive the help during Christmas. No gift is too small or too large! Any help is appreciated. Thank you, and Merry Christmas to all who are part of the LiP family!

Paul Thompson; has resided in the Philippines since 1993, living close to Subic Bay. I’m married to a wonderful girl named Maria (AKA Mayang).Who is from Gordon Heights in Olongapo where she grew up with her Mom & Dad and seven siblings Our two daughters are both grown up and have left the nest, the eldest married to a wonderful guy named Chris, and they have blessed us with our granddaughter Heather Colleen Our youngest daughter and her husband Cecil have blessed us with a grandson named. Jayden Logan.
I’m a retired U.S. NAVY Senior Chief after 22 years of active duty. After retirement from the Navy I lived for 7 years in Puerto Rico as a Night Club owner. Then Hurricane Hugo told me to find a new line of work, I was hired by Military Sealift Command and went back to sea in Asia as a Merchant Seaman for 10 years. After 30 plus years at sea I buried my anchor on a mountain in the Philippines and am now residing in Dinalupihan (or DinBat for short), Roosevelt, Bataan where we built our home. And last but not least, anything I writes will be pure "Tongue in Cheek "If anybody is offended, I'll lose no sleep over it, but here's a quick Mea Culpa in advance!

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Comments

Paul,
Age is just a number, and you’re only as young as you think you are. (i’m only 22 yo) I can’t run a football like in high school anymore, and I don’t know who that old guy is in the mirror, but I enjoy everyday.
Merry Christmas to you and yours!!!

Hello Bob Martin.
Thinking young is the most important thing. Too many of us fall into the old person’s frame of mind and there is pressure to do so. I refuse to think old or even to act that way. I enjoy being who I am and defy anyone who expects anything else. Since I am single I don’t know what age wife I would like to have or for that matter what age would be most appropiate. Hope I spelled that right.

Rick,
I agree with Paul and you and everyone here that age is in your mind. As for falling in love and age, again it is in the mind. My first wife was 17 years older than me and we were together for 11 years. The reason that we did not stay together is a long story but it was on good terms.

I also have a friend that was married to a lady that was 15 years younger and he left her because she started acting to old and stopped living life and she was only 40. So finding a love that see life in the same eyes as you would be a good thing.

Your right on Pablo……The only things I can add are, I never have had friends over 35 years old.. most are in their twenties. We drink, talk and party together….I keep myself in good shape…. I even hooked up with a girl in her twenties (meaning she is real, I know I could hook up with alot more here, but I am talking about for the real reasons)…….Don’t know what it is… but it is …. it’s me…. my way of life, .. if I stopped, I be 6 foot down in a couple of years .. (Right Paul?)…. I am in my 60’s for you who want to know…Merry Christmas!!!!

Lenny;
Sixty is the new forty. As for friends mine vary through the age groups, one of my dear friends is in his 70’s and a couple in their 80’s and they are all very cool, and the most are younger than me. It’s as Greg said above;”Attitude is everything” But it sounds like you’ve figured that out already.
I could hook up with girls that are younger, but for some reason my wife frowns upon it! (lol)

All the best to every one on lip for the festive season.Paul not to many SMBS over the season but then do not drop the volume . Fully agree on the age issue i just clicked over 60 yet feel a fit as a 80 year old.Need to spend more time at sit and bull.

Frank’
Christmas and summer in South Aftica! But enjoy them both with your family. Sit N’ Bull still has cold beer and great boat drinks (any drink that has rum in it)
Had a great time the last you were in town. Stay well my friend.

You and your family have a wonderful Christmas and a prosperous New Year out there in DinBat, Mr. Thompson! It has been a great pleasure reading each and every one of your articles throughout the year.

Just keep on staying young! Because that is you. Keeping your mind and body busy and staying positive are the keys to staying young at heart. I know 2012 will be a wonderful year. Visiting the PI is at the top of the list. I really miss my honey and her nieces. Also can’t forget drinking the SMB’s with friends either. Life is good. You and your family have a fesitve and safe holiday season my friend. Looking forward to enjoying my first Christmas season there in 2014.

Papa Duck;
In a week or two I’ll be posting an article on my limited exercise program that should prolong my life a few weeks or so.
But here’s hoping that you can get here to live sooner than faster than you’ve planned. I know Christmas in the states is great, but here in Never-never land it’s an adventure. Stay well and enjoy the season.

Keeping young makes life worthwhile. Christmas is a good time to show how young you are lol. Our 80 year old neighbour has trimmed up his home, pity he has no grandkids to enjoy Christmas with more than he does.

Merry Christmas to you and your family, and all the LIP family from here in chilly England.

Marjorie;
My wife and daughters asked me what I wanted for Christmas? I thought on it awhile and then answered; “I’ve already got it!” I have all I need watching the family opening the presents on Christmas. Stay by the hearth this winter! And a wonderful Christmas to you and yours.

“Once I realized that I was never gonna’ get out of this life alive, I stopped taking it so seriously. That gave me more time to enjoy the life I am living, and see the humor that surrounds us if we take the time to see it.”

I love the lines above Mr. Paul. That fact of life keeps me going and living my life like it’s my last. One thing i can’t let myself get away with, is to look back and regret what i didn’t do when i was still ABLE to. Lovely post btw, thank you. Merry Christmas to you and your family.

Vanessa;
My father was a lets do it today kinda guy, I learned a lot from him about not procrastinating. Do it now, we could be hit by a car tomorrow. I will tell my kids and anyone that will listen, that to go do it now, take that trip, have that fun. Make your “Bucket List” (things you want to do before you pass on) when your young, and add to it every year. And check off a few items every year also. But remember the bucket list is a guide not your goal. Stay young at heart and have a wonderful Christmas Season with those that you love. On my Bucket List for next year is to take my family to Vigan for a vacation, and I’ll think of somemore things to do.